U.S. patent number 4,557,082 [Application Number 06/611,219] was granted by the patent office on 1985-12-10 for wide extension expansion joint assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Metalines, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles L. Dunsworth.
United States Patent |
4,557,082 |
Dunsworth |
December 10, 1985 |
Wide extension expansion joint assembly
Abstract
Apparatus for covering relatively wider building structure
expansion voids which includes a cover panel, base member
extrusions for opposite side support and a lazy tong centering
assembly for both supportive attachment to the cover panel and
maintaining proper alignment and relative positioning to said void
in tolerance of orthogonal relative displacements between adjacent
structures.
Inventors: |
Dunsworth; Charles L. (Midwest
City, OK) |
Assignee: |
Metalines, Inc. (Oklahoma City,
OK)
|
Family
ID: |
24448115 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/611,219 |
Filed: |
May 17, 1984 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/109; 160/159;
404/47; 404/52; 52/396.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
1/6815 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
1/68 (20060101); E04B 001/68 (); E04F 015/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/109,173DS,470,573,396,403,74 ;135/104 ;160/159,147,342,161
;404/47,52,67-69 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1534229 |
|
Apr 1970 |
|
DE |
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488880 |
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May 1970 |
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CH |
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Primary Examiner: Kelly; Donald G.
Assistant Examiner: Chilcot, Jr.; Richard
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hessin; Robert M.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for enclosing an expansion void between first and
second building structures, comprising:
first and second elongate side extrusions each defining a
respective guide channel along the length thereof, said side
extrusions being secured in parallel on said first and second
building structures;
cover means supported to extend laterally over said first and
second side extrusions;
expansible multi-link lazy tong means centrally affixed to said
cover means by pivotal connection to retain said cover means;
and
first and second guide means pivotally affixed on opposite sides of
said lazy tong means and being slidably retained in said respective
first and second side extrusion guide channels.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized
to include:
at least one additional support connector pivotally and slidably
connected between said cover means and lazy tong means in at least
one position intermediate the cover means central pivotal
connection and the proximate side extrusion.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover means
comprises:
plural expansible panels having first and second opposite sides and
being of similar size;
at least one intermediate guide extrusion defining a guide channel
and securing means for affixure to respective first and second
sides of laterally adjoining expansible panels; and
plural slide means each pivotally connected to said lazy tong means
at a selected position and each slidingly retained in one of said
intermediate guide extrusion guide channels.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cover means
comprises:
plural expansible panels having first and second opposite sides and
being of similar size;
plural intermediate guide extrusions each defining a guide channel
and securing means for affixure to respective first and second
sides of laterally adjoining expansible panels; and
plural slide means each pivotally connected to said lazy tong means
at a selected position and each slidingly retained in one of said
intermediate guide extrusion guide channels.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said panels
comprise:
bellows panels formed of pliable substance.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said intermediate
guide extrusions comprise:
an elongate member defining on one side said guide channel for
slidably retaining said slide means and defining on the opposite
side at least one retaining groove for receiving and securing
respective opposite sides of adjacent expansible panels.
7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein:
said expansible panel opposite sides are formed with a compressible
bead for force fit retention in said at least one retaining
groove.
8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said panels
comprise:
bellows panels formed of compliant material.
9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lazy tong means
comprises:
at least two pivotally cross-connected center links, the pivotal
cross-connection being affixed centrally of said cover means while
defining opposite pairs of center link ends; and
first and second pairs of side links each pair being pivotally
connected at one end to a respective one of said first and second
guide means, and each pair having their remaining ends pivotally
connected to a pair of center link ends.
10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein:
said cross-connection is slidably affixed to said cover means.
11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover means
comprises:
panel means of dimension greater than span of widest limits of the
expansion void.
12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 which further includes:
first and second sealing strips affixed to each of said side
extrusions for wiping contact with said panel means.
13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said lazy tong means
comprises:
at least two pivotally cross-connected center links, the pivotal
cross-connection being affixed centrally of said cover means while
defining opposite pairs of center link ends; and
first and second pairs of side links each pair being pivotally
connected at one end to a respective one of said first and second
guide means, and each pair having their remaining ends pivotally
connected to a pair of center link ends.
14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 which is further
characterized in that:
said first and second extrusion guide channels are circular in
cross-section; and
said first and second guides are similarly formed with slightly
lesser radius.
15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein:
said first and second guides are cylindrical.
16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover means
comprises:
central panel means retained by being centrally pivotally affixed
to said lazy tong means;
first and second side panels each slidably disposed in parallel
with and behind said central panel means on each side thereof;
and
first and second pivot means secured to support respective first
and second side panels by pivotal connection to said lazy tong
means.
17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein:
said first and second pivot means pivotal connection is slidably
affixed to said lazy tong means.
18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 which further includes:
first and second sealing strips affixed to each of said side
extrusions for wiping contact with said panel means.
19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said lazy tong means
comprises:
at least two pivotally cross-connected center links, the pivotal
cross-connection being affixed centrally of said cover means while
defining opposite pairs of center link ends; and
first and second pairs of side links each pair being pivotally
connected at one end to a respective one of said first and second
guide means, and each pair having their remaining ends pivotally
connected to a pair of center link ends.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to expansion joint assemblies for
interior and exterior building voids and, more particularly, but
not by way of limitation, it relates to an improved form of
expansion joint assembly for usage in expansion voids of relatively
wide variance spacing that utilizes a novel centering
structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art includes numerous types of expansion joint assemblies
for both interior and exterior application which include various
kinds of expansion plate in combination with diverse types of
support and centering structure. A representative type of expansion
joint assembly with centering bar is represented by U.S. Pat. No.
3,183,626 in the name of Schmitt, a type of assembly that has
enjoyed popular application for a long number of years. The Schmitt
structure utilizes a centering bar that is centrally, pivotally
fixed to the expansion assembly while having the ends
ball-supported in adjacent slideways on opposite sides of the
expansion void. U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,952 discloses a roadway
expansion joint that utilizes a series of hinged lazy tong
assemblies, pivotally fixed on a four-corner scheme, to support
individual intermediate bars movably thereby to provide an
expandable roadway support. In this case, each lazy tong upper
hinge also supports an elongated intermediate bar which serves as
traffic support across the expansion void.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,423 in the name of Cole discloses another form
of expansion joint assembly, a flush mount device, which includes a
lazy tong centering arrangement in addition to a spring retaining
member and resilient seating structure. The expansion joint
assembly, as proposed for adjoining panels of floor, wall, ceiling
or the like, forms an elongated assembly having a plurality of
spaced lazy tong centering linkages intersticed with a plurality of
leaf spring devices for maintaining the expansion joint assembly in
secure flush mount within said expanding surfaces. This structure
is designed for recessed mount to provide smooth or generally
planar exterior surface, and as such it is limited to much more
narrow width expansion voids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in construction of
expansion joint assemblies suitable for use in interior or exterior
applications that present larger expansion voids. The invention
includes alternative forms of cover structure as employed with lazy
tong centering structure for maintaining proper, centered
positioning of the cover structure relative to the expansion void.
Thus, the centering structure may be employed with bellows panel
structure that is butt positioned across an expansion void and such
bellows cover panel may be employed variously at different angular
relationships. The similar type of centering structure may also be
utilized with other flush mounted expansion joint cover assemblies
of either the multi-plate or single plate cover type, and various
forms of side rail extrusion may be included.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
expansion void cover assembly that is capable of greater expansion
limits variance while maintaining desirable aesthetic effects.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an
expansion joint cover assembly centering structure that is free of
twisting and binding conditions that may affect the lay of the
cover assembly.
It is still further an object of the present invention to provide a
wide expansion limit cover assembly that is versatile as to its
application in either indoor or exterior environment.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a multiplate cover
panel assembly that presents reduced exposed surface.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
expansion assembly and fixtures that enable any of butt mount,
flush mount and other interior and exterior configuration mountings
in structurally reliable manner while still allowing for orthogonal
movement between adjoining structures.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from
the following detailed description when read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of the rear side of an expansion
assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-section along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a sectional view of an alternative form of support
extrusion;
FIG. 3B illustrates the extrusion of FIG. 3A in combination with an
alternative form of panel affixure bead;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear side of angularly
adjoining expansion assemblies;
FIG. 5 is a view in cross-section of another form of expansion
cover assembly for butt joinder across a void;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a multi-plate expansion assembly at
the closed limits;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 6 at the open
limits;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative form of centering
slide structure;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another form of centering
slide structure;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a single plate expansion cover
assembly; and,
FIG. 11 is a partial rear view of a section of bellows cover
assembly illustrating an alternative form of centering tong
affixure for countering twist effects.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a large void expansion assembly 10 as
installed in a void between opposite side structures 12 and 14. The
opposite side structures 12 and 14 may be adjoining buildings,
adjacent horizontal or vertical building structures, or interior
wall, ceiling or floor structures. The expansion assembly 10 is the
type which is particularly desirable for covering large variance
expansion voids while still presenting a selected, desirable
aesthetic appearance. Such expansion voids, particularly as may be
existent between very tall building structures, may be required to
tolerate expansion variance between as much as 15 to 40 inches, and
the present design is capable of use in closing even larger
voids.
As shown in FIG. 2, the opposite sides of the assembly 10 are
supported by oppositely exposed side extrusions 16 and 18. The side
extrusion 16 is formed lineally to include a ball-guide or channel
20 of circular cross-section, a planar mounting portion 22 and
U-channel 24 in unitary formation. The mounting portion 22 is
formed with a plurality of spaced holes 26 for receiving masonry
fasteners 28. The opposite side extrusion 18 is similarly formed
but in mirror image as the extrusion includes a unitary formation
of ball guide channel 30, mounting portion 32 and U-channel 34 as
secured to the building structure 14 by a plurality of masonry
fasteners 36.
The front portion of assembly 10, that which is viewed and must
carry the aesthetic effect, may be made up of such as a plurality
of expansible panel members or bellows panels 40. The bellows
panels 40 are preferably laid up in equal widths, formed from a
resilient or pliable material such as light metal, elastomer or
other plastic and formed with an equal number of folds or lands 42
and intersticed grooves 44. Present forms of bellows panel are
commercially available in vinyl or neoprene material in selective
land/groove size and number, and in various forms of color and
texture. Each opposite side of panels 40 is formed with an
in-turned securing lip 46 having a planar or spearhead form and
suitable for securing as by clip, screw or other fastener. For
example, the respective lips 46 of the outer bellows panels 40 are
secured by insertion with a known type of Tinnerman fastener 48
within U-channels 24 and 34.
Inner support for bellows panels 40 is provided by a plurality of
guide extrusions 50. The guide extrusions 50 are each lineally
formed unitarily to include an inward facing guide channel 52 and
an oppositely facing double U-channel 54 which carries dual,
adjacent receiving slots 56 and 58. Each of channel slots 56 and 58
is adapted to receive such as a Tinnerman fastener 48 securing a
bellows panel lip 46 therein.
An ordered and equal-displacement expansion and contraction of
assembly 10 and the plurality of bellows panels 40 is effected by
the lazy tong centering structure consisting of cross-links 60 and
62 and side links 64, 66, 68 and 70. The cross-links 60 and 62 are
pivotally secured at their center by means of fastener 72 as
secured within a guide block 74 (see FIG. 2). The guide block 74
includes channel configuration to enable locked, sliding
configuration within guide channel 52 of center guide extrusion 50.
Center link 60 is pivotally secured with side link 64 by a fastener
72 and a guide block 74 as is the other center link 62 and side
link 66. The side links 64 and 66 are then again pivotally secured
as by a pivot fastener 76 to a tab 78 that is rigidedly connected
to a ball 80 as slidingly engaged within ball guide channel 20.
The opposite side of assembly 10 is similarly secured as the
centering structure is slidingly engaged in ball channel 30. Thus,
center links 60 and 62 are each pivotally secured by fastener 72 to
side links 68 and 70, respectively, as fasteners 72 are each
secured in respective guide blocks 74 as slidingly secured within a
guide channel 52 of extrusion 50. The side links 68 and 70 are
pivotally secured to a tab 82 and ball 84 by a pivot fastener 86 as
ball 84 is slidingly engaged within ball guide channel 30. Balls 80
and 84 as well as guide blocks 74 may be formed from resilient
plastic to increase slidability.
In use of an expansion assembly 10, an odd number of guide
extrusions will be utilized in equi-spaced disposition across the
void in cooperation with the side extrusions 16 and 18. The number
of guide extrusions 50 may vary in accordance with the size of
variance of the void as well as with the selection of cover or
panel members such as bellows panels 40. In many applications, the
assembly 10 will be laid up in a long vertical series of expansion
assembly sections, e.g. 10 foot, 12 foot or larger selected
lengths, and in such cases periodically disposed safety pins 90
(see FIG. 2) may be disposed in locking insert through the opposite
side ball guide channels 20 and 30. Pins 90 serve as a safety lock
to prevent vertical travel of the panel members due to accumulated
loading and downslide of one or more sections of the assembly.
Thus, the assembly 10 is capable of orthogonal movement as
expansion of the bellows panel 40 accommodates variance in lateral
spacing between structures 12 and 14. Suspension of the panel 40
within ball guide channels 20 and 30 then further allow for uneven
vertical movement as between structures 12 and 14 as well as for
rotational movement, i.e. movement of panel 40 about the
longitudinal axes of ball guide channels 20 and/or 30.
FIG. 3A illustrates an alternative form of guide extrusion 50a. The
extrusion 50a includes the double U-channel 54 having locking
channels 56 and 58 just as extrusion 50 of FIG. 2. However, the
upper portion of guide extrusion 50a includes an elongated
ball-channel 100 for carrying a ball guide 102 in sliding
engagement. The ball guide 102 may be unitarily formed to include a
neck 104 that extends a bolt end 106 for receiving nut fastener 72
as it pivotally secures lazy tong links e.g. 60, 62. Use of the
ball-type guide 102 and channel 100 lessens possibilities of
binding of the lazy tong centering structure under unusual or
uneven stresses. FIG. 3B illustrates the similar extrusion 50a as
it may be utilized to grip a panel 107 having a spearhead bead 108.
Spearhead bead 108 includes a hollow portion 109 that allows
collapse during insertion.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate yet another form of expansion assembly
with lazy tong centering wherein individual components are further
standardized. The expansion assembly 110 utilizes a plurality of
identical types of guide extrusions 112 supporting a plurality of
bellows-type panels 114 as supported between respective pairs of
guide bars 112. The standardized structure is readily adaptable for
use in diverse planes or angular relationships as shown, and a
spaced plurality of lazy tong assemblies 116 are disposed to
maintain proper centering and uniform expansion of the aggregate
bellows structure.
FIG. 5 illustrates the expansion joint assembly 110 with attention
to greater detail. Expansion assembly 110 is secured between the
adjoining building structures, walls, floors or the like 116 and
118 as supported by opposite side brackets 120 and 122, secured as
along the dash-line indications. Bracket 120 is shown as an
L-shaped bracket suitable for butt joinder use on a flat wall
expanse, and bracket 122 is shown as a T-type bracket suitable for
corner affixure. Each of guide extrusions 112 is an identical form
of unitary extrusion which include opposite side bead grooves 124
and 126 and a centrally aligned guide channel 128 formed
continuously within a narrower access groove 130. In this case, the
panel members 114 of expansible type, a commercially available
form, are formed with lateral tabs 132 having a compressible bead
134 formed thereon. Thus, each section of panel member 114 is
secured by force fitting opposite side beads 134 into the
respective bead retainer grooves 124 and 126 of adjacent side guide
extrusions 112. The opposite sides of assembly 110 and outer guide
extrusions 112 are then secured as by brackets 120, 122 to the
adjacent building structures.
The centering bar structure or lazy tong member 116 is secured to
the panel structure as each pivotal point of lazy tong member 116
is slidingly secured within the guide channel 128 in sliding
engagement. Thus, and similar to the lazy tong mounting of FIG. 1,
each of center links 140 and 142 and side link pairs 144, 146 and
148, 150 are pivotally secured at their respective pivot points by
means of pivot fasteners 152. Each of pivot fasteners 152 may
consist of such as a pivot screw 154 extending through respective
link members for affixure in an inverted T-shaped resilient button
156, e.g. nylon, teflon or the like, which slides incapture within
the guide channel 128 of the respective guide member 112.
The assembly of FIG. 5 is one directed to uniformity and
standardization of components and the number of panel members 114
and guide extrusions 112 will be dictated by the size of the
expansion void where applied. While the standard form as
illustrated here employs five vertical guide members 112 with the
central pivoting lazy tong arrangement (as shown in FIG. 4), it
should be understood that a greater or lesser number of pivot
linkages may be employed as required by the exigencies of each
application. For example, the lazy tong centering can be employed
with any combination of three or more vertical guide members to
maintain equal spacing during expansion and contraction of the
facing member.
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative form of expansion assembly 160 as
disposed to cover an expansion void 162 between adjoining
structures 164 and 166. FIG. 6 shows assembly 160 at its closed or
narrowest limits while FIG. 7 illustrates the outer limit
configuration. Expansion assembly 160 utilizes a hard plate cover
consisting of a center plate 168 and opposite side plates 170 and
172 as retained by a lazy tong assembly 174 sliding within opposite
side ball extrusions 176 and 178.
The ball extrusion 176 and 178 are each formed with a mounting
member and a respective ball guide channel 180 and 182. An outer
portion of ball guide 180 is formed with a lineal recess wherein a
resilient wiper material 184 is reposed. In like manner, a groove
and insert material 186 is formed along ball guide channel 182. The
plastic inserts 184 and 186 serve to form a wiper surface for
sealing and weatherproofing adjacent the innerside of cover side
plates 170 and 172. The respective opposite side guide balls 188
and 190 of lazy tong assembly 174 ride within respective ball
channels 180 and 182. Safety pins 192 may be disposed periodically
along ball guide channels in non-interfering positions as desired
in order to support accumulated vertical loading.
The lazy tong assembly 174 expansibily retains the cover plate
assembly thereover as the central cover plate 168 is secured by a
pivot post 193 and pivot pin 194 through the center most pivot
position of the lazy tong assembly 174, i.e. pivotally retaining
center links 196 and 198. The side cover plate 170 includes an
elongate guide member 200 defining a channel 202. Guide member 200
may be secured as by welding or the like to the backside of side
cover plate 170 adjacent its inner extremity. A plurality of pivot
pins 204, pivotally securing center links 196 and 198 with
respective side links 206 and 208, are screw-fastened or the like
within a slidable retainer nut 210 sliding incapture within channel
202. Thus, the side cover plate 170 is retained from pivot pin 204
through guide member 200 against resilient wiper element 184. The
opposite side cover plate 172 is similarly constructed with an
elongated guide member 212 defining a guide channel 214 for
retaining a guide nut 216 that is rotatably secured by means of
pivot pin 128 through the respective scissor linkages of center
links 196, 198 with side links 220, 222.
Thus, the assembly 160 provides an expansible cover plate wherein
all support structure as affixed to the building structures is
concealed. Each of cover side plates 170 and 172 may be formed with
a bend or wrap-around on the outer edge to effect most fully such
concealment of the inner support and centering structure. FIG. 6
illustrates the narrow limits of building structures 164 and 166
with side plates 170 and 172 nearly drawn beneath the cover plate
168. It can readily be seen in FIG. 6 that the lazy tong centering
assembly 174 is contracted to approach its narrowest limits. FIG. 7
then illustrates the full extension limit of building structures
164 and 166 as the concealing cover structure, cover plates 168,
170 and 172, is fully expanded while still presenting a continuous
outward appearance, and the lazy tong centering assembly 174 is
also expanded to approach its full limits. It should always be
understood that engineering tolerances can be provided in
accordance with the particular sway or movement limits to be
encountered.
FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative form of centering guide assembly.
Lazy tong side links 230 and 232 are pivotally connected to tab 234
by means of a pivot pin 236, and tab 234 is connected as by
integral molding or welding with a cylindrical slide 238 riding
within round channel 240 of guide member 242. The side guide member
242 may be similar to those of FIGS. 6 and 7 such that they carry
an additional channel formation 244 for retaining a resilient wiper
strip 246. The cylindrical guide 238 may be formed of stainless
steel or resilient plastic, such as nylon, and such structure tends
to minimize binding across the expanse of expansion assembly.
In like manner, the configuration of FIG. 9 may also be used to
minimize the possibility of binding as between opposite sides of
the centering assembly. In this case, the lazy tong side links 250
and 252 are pivotally linked by a pivot pin 254 proximate their
outer ends, each of which carries an integrally formed, plastic
molded ball 256 and 258, respectively, the balls 256 and 258 are
then aligned to slide within the guide channel 240. The FIG. 9
structure also tends to elongate the contacting surfaces of the
guide within the channel thereby to minimize the possibility of
binding.
FIG. 10 illustrates yet another form of concealed cover plate
expansion assembly 260 for closing a void 262 between building
structures 264 and 266. In this case, a single cover plate 268 is
utilized to cover the void space as it is supported by a designed
plurality of lazy tong assemblies 270. Each lazy tong assembly 270
is affixed at its center pivot 272 to a securing stem 274 as
affixed centrally to cover plate 268. The opposite guide balls or
cylinders 276 and 278 are then coactively retained within mating
guide channels 280 and 282 of respective side guide extrusions 284
and 286. The extrusions 284 and 286 may also include a suitable
facing channel 288 and 290 for retaining resilient wiper strip 292
and 294 respectively. The assembly 260 in FIG. 10 is suitable for
use in those applications where there is sufficient side clearance
to enable full building structure expansion beneath the single
facing cover plate 268. Stop pins 277 secure against vertical
travel from position.
FIG. 11 illustrates yet another form of the lazy tong centering
arrangement that utilizes a somewhat different combination of pivot
positions. This design is particularly applicable to expansion
situations wherein there is one primary expansion mode but also a
significant orthogonal stress or movement which must also be
encountered. The structure of FIG. 11 avoids undue binding of the
lateral slide elements across the lazy tong assembly. Thus, the
structure of FIG. 11 may be likened to that of FIG. 1 with the
exception that intermediate pairs of tong link pivot points are
allowed to ride free of guide contact with the cover panel.
More particularly, a cover panel 300 may consist of a plurality of
bellows panels 302, each connected between respective guide
extrusions 304 as by spearhead bead insertion, for example see FIG.
5. Each of the guide extrusions 304 includes a guide channel 306
for receiving sliding contact with the lazy tong assembly
consisting of crossed center links 308, 310 and 312, 314 as
interconnected between respective side link pairs 316, 318 and 320,
322.
Thus, side link pivot pins 324 and 326 slidingly ride within the
guide channel 306 of respective side guide extrusion 304 in manner
similar to that for FIG. 5, and cross link pivot pins 328 and 330
are also formed to be retained within a guide channel 306 of a
respective intermediate guide extrusion 304; however, the remaining
off-line pivot pins 332 merely serve to connect the respective lazy
tong link connections pivotally without having contact with cover
panel 300 possibly to cause binding. The heavy arrow designations
are intended as an overemphasis to illustrate that while the
lateral expansion of cover panel 300 is effected over an extended
length, there can still be uneven movement in an orthogonal
direction to cause a binding or buckling of the expansion assembly.
In applications where this may occur, the linear lazy tong
interconnection of FIG. 11 may be desirable. Safety pins 334 may be
disposed to limit vertical movement from accumulated loading.
The foregoing illustrates novel expansion joint structure which is
effective in concealing larger types of expansion void between
building structures or adjoining wall or ceiling structures while
maintaining strong and effective centering of the expansion
assembly cover, and while enabling full presentation of those
selected architectural materials providing best aesthetic effects.
While various forms of alternative and combinations of specific
structure have been specifically described, it should be understood
that the particular designs of cover panel assembly, lazy tong
centering structure and guide extrusion shape and mountings can be
intermixed to provide a plurality of different forms of cover plate
assembly offering the distinct advantages of the present
invention.
Changes may be made in combination and arrangement of elements as
heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the
drawings; it being understood that changes may be made in the
embodiments disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *